M4 Sherman Diesel

[DWest]

Was reading about the M4 Sherman tanks and found out that the model sent to PTO was powered by a pair of 6-71 two stroke Detroits. One guy stated that they were the known as the quiet tanks for sneaking up on the Japanese. Those with the radial air cooled motors must have really roared if screamin Detroits were thought to be quiet. DW

 

[n7gxz]

Never heard of any being powered by DD's. I know that Cat produced an air cooled radial D-200 (cast iron) version of the Wright R-1820 aircraft radial that powered the M4-A6. Looking on Wikipedia they do show the M4-A2 as being powered by two 6046 DD's.



M4 Sherman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Kevin

 

[bmoeller]

Saw a show on TV once. Don't recall what it was, but they were working on restoring a Sherman, and it was DD powered.

 

[DWest]

Diesel Shermans

Armchair General Forums - View Single Post - Why petrol for Panzers? According to this link the 6046 was the designation for a pair of 6-71's which the Marines got instead of the gas powered ones. The diesel variant was sold to the Russians and the Marines got the leftovers. Sounds like they were more reliable and quieter than the gas units and didn't burn as easily. One tank destroyer, I think the M10 also had Detroits. DW

 

[WDixon27]

seen a few old war movies where they sounded like a 2 stroke howling away, i can't remember what this one sounded like been a while since i watched it